Chapter 6
Slade
Where the hell did she go?
Elira was an expert in evasion. I’d known that from the start.
She’d spent most of her life surviving by vanishing—slipping through cracks, ducking behind shadows, disappearing the second someone tried to pin her down.
It had kept her alive. But right now, it was driving me insane.
Maddie was supposed to stay with her. That was the plan. But here Maddie was—standing in the ballroom, alone.
And Elira?
Nowhere.
I walked up to Maddie, silently fuming. She swallowed guiltily at my approach.
“I know what you are going to say. But she said she would be here,” Maddie said, playing with the drink in her hand.
“You weren’t supposed to leave her alone,” I growled.
“She wanted space. We can’t keep crowding her all the time.”
“You give her space and she runs,” I snapped.
“Trust her, Slade. No matter what is going on with her, she wouldn’t run from here. Even you know that.” Maddie sighed. “Where would she even go now?”
Before I could answer, Leo and Phoenix stepped into the ballroom—both dressed in Shadowmere finery. Sharp lines, formal crests, ceremonial blades.
They scanned the crowd until their eyes found me, and crossed the floor in long, deliberate strides.
“So much for a small gathering,” Leo muttered, casting a glance around. The ballroom was overflowing—music swelling, tables buckling under gold-trimmed platters, nobles pressed shoulder to shoulder in a sea of finery.
There had to be over a hundred people here.
“Where is Elira?” Phoenix asked, his voice low, direct, already braced for bad news.
Before I could answer, a sudden blare of horns split the air.
The room stilled.
“May we announce,” the herald called, his voice rising above the hush, “Queen Syrena Virell of Shadowmere, accompanied by Lord Jasper Hendrix.”
All heads turned as the queen entered the ballroom—regal, radiant, her gown a cascade of green and gold. Jasper stood tall at her side, expression unreadable, his hand resting protectively over hers.
Syrena leaned in, whispered something to the announcer.
The herald raised his voice again.
“And may we also introduce… Princess Elira Virell, accompanied by Prince Caelen of Sorrowsea.”
The words rang out like a blade striking stone. I felt Leo go still beside me.
Phoenix’s brow furrowed, sharp and immediate.
And me?
I turned toward the top of the stair, pulse hammering in my throat.
There she was.
The ballroom stilled around us.
And then she appeared.
Elira stood at the top of the staircase, a vision in silver and midnight. Her gown shimmered like starlight—sharp in places, soft in others. Her hair was swept back, loose curls tumbling over one shoulder, pinned with something delicate and shining.
I swallowed involuntarily.
She looked like something pulled out of a dream. Untouchable. Radiant.
And not alone.
Beside her stood Caelen. All polish and poise and political grace. He didn’t touch her. He didn’t need to. His presence alone made a statement.
My gut twisted.
Leo let out a low breath beside me—like he’d been punched and didn’t want to show it.
“Gods,” he said softly. “She’s stunning...”
Phoenix was silent. Too still. His eyes tracked her movements with the kind of focus he usually reserved for war strategy or live flames.
“She’s playing a role,” he said finally, voice clipped. “That’s not comfort. That’s armour.”
“She didn’t tell us,” I muttered. My fists were clenched and I hadn’t even noticed.
“Why would she come in with him?” Leo asked. “Why not wait for us?”
“Maybe the queen asked her to?” Phoenix said. “It would make sense.”
“So what does this mean now?” I asked, unable to tear my gaze from her.
“It doesn’t have to mean anything.” Maddie said from beside me. “So she came with him. Look at her. Does she look happy?”
I looked at Elira. The cold, calm tilt of her expression, the reserve in her smile. She nodded and bowed her head at the right moments, but it was like she was going through the motions.
For a moment, her gaze flicked towards us. I caught it with my own and for a second I saw a softening, which passed just as fast.
Caelen, beside her, stared at her with a longing she missed in his eyes. I could see it clear as day. He wanted to reach for her too, but knew he was unwelcome.
Get in line.
I stepped forward as if I couldn’t help it, moving towards her through the crowds that separated for me like the tide. I walked up to the prince and met him.
He looked taken aback at my size. Jasper, who was next to him, introduced me. Behind me I felt Leo sneak by, instinctively putting a space between Elira and the prince.
“Slade Archenwald, meet Prince Caelen of Sorrowsea,” Jasper said evenly.
Caelen extended his hand.
I looked at it.
That was all.
Long enough to make it clear.
Caelen’s smile faltered. He hesitated, then let the hand drop back to his side.
Smart move.
“So, I guess we all have you and your brothers to thank for returning Elira to us,” Caelen said, voice smooth and practiced. He smiled at me—diplomatic, harmless.
I grunted.
That was all he got.
Jasper, catching the silence and probably trying to save face, stepped in quickly.
“Slade was a Shade,” he said, his tone light. “Like Phoenix. And—”
He glanced around, only to realize the space beside us was now conspicuously empty.
“Leo,” he finished, dryly.
Caelen turned, just in time to see Leo guiding Elira into the crowd, a hand lightly resting at her back.
For the first time, the prince’s composure cracked. Just a flicker.
And I didn’t bother hiding my smirk.
“A Shade?” Caelen asked, still trying to sound casual. “Does that mean you’re magicborn? If you don’t mind me asking—what’s your skill?”
I flicked my fingers once. The top button of Caelen’s cloak snapped free.
It hovered in the air between us, spinning slowly.
His smile faltered.
Another flick.
The button flattened midair with a metallic crack and dropped neatly into my palm.
I didn’t say a word. Just handed it back to him.
Caelen paled slightly, flustered but trying not to show it.
“Metal,” he said faintly, “That’s...impressive.”
I just nodded.
Jasper gave me a look from the corner of his eye—calm on the surface, but his mouth twitched like he was holding back a sigh. It was not quite disapproval.
More like: Really, Slade? Now?
I didn’t apologize. I didn’t need to.
Let the prince stew.
“Slade, Leo, and Phoenix…” Jasper began.
“And me,” Maddie cut in, stepping forward with her chin lifted.
Jasper gave a slight nod. “Have taken it upon themselves to form Elira’s inner circle,” he continued, his voice careful, diplomatic. “They’re very… protective of her.”
“That’s putting it lightly,” Maddie muttered.
She turned, planting herself between Caelen and me with casual defiance.
“Just to be clear, Caelen,” she said, her tone calm but unflinching, “Elira isn’t going to be what you expect. Whatever you think you know—” She shook her head. “You need to let it go.”
Caelen blinked, visibly thrown by the shift in tone. “I don’t mean her any harm.”
“I didn’t say you did,” Maddie said. “But she doesn’t need to be charmed. She doesn’t need careful words. She needs people who know who she is—now. Not who she used to be.”
The poor prince blinked, looking between us. “I know. I mean, I realise this. I spoke with her before. She seems - guarded.”
Maddie laughed. “Yeah. That about sums it up. She had it rough these last few years. She’s still working things out.”
I glanced across the ballroom.
Elira was dancing with Leo in the cotillion set, their hands linked, their movements fluid. But her eyes weren’t on him. Not really.
They were scanning the crowd—subtle, but sharp.
Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her spine was too straight. Her shoulders too tight.
“What can I do?” Caelen asked quietly. “I’d like to help. If I can.”
“Give her space,” I grunted. “Wait for her to come to you. Don’t expect her to act how you think she should.”
Caelen nodded slowly, but his distress was plain. He wasn’t angry—just… lost. Like he wanted to reach her, but didn’t know where to begin.
Phoenix stepped in smoothly, cutting through the tension like a blade through silk.
“So, Your Grace,” he said, voice perfectly measured. “I’ve heard your kingdom still has access to vessels along the southern coast. How many ships are we talking?”
Caelen blinked, the question pulling him back to safer ground. “Ah. Yes. My father’s fleet is still intact—thirty-six ships, last I counted. Mostly merchant class, but a few warships remain seaworthy.”
Phoenix nodded once, already calculating. “And crewed?”
“For the most part. We’ve kept them training through the winters. They’re restless. Could be eager for a cause.”
“Good,” Phoenix murmured. “We may have one.”
Phoenix led the prince away, and I watched him go.
Jasper sighed beside me, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.
“You guys need to get yourselves a little under control,” he said, voice low but firm. “Elira’s a princess now. You can’t hoard her like she’s treasure.”
“She’s ours,” I said flatly. “She belongs with us.”
Jasper looked at me. Not angry—just tired.
“No,” he said. “She belongs to her kingdom.”
I didn’t respond.
He continued anyway. “They need her now, more than ever. Virell has been hiding in the shadows for years. After what Vael did here... people stopped believing in a future.”
“And now she’s supposed to carry it on her back?” I asked. “Alone?”
Jasper didn’t answer right away.
“No,” he said eventually. “But she’s not a secret anymore. And she’s not just yours.”
I clenched my jaw, turning my eyes toward the distant cliffs. The sea was wild today, crashing hard against the rocks below the castle. I understood what he meant. I did.
It didn’t make it easier.
“I’m not trying to keep her from them,” I said finally. “I just don’t want them to eat her alive.”
Jasper exhaled slowly, his voice quieter now.
“They will,” he said. “If she lets them. That’s why she needs people who see her for more than a crown.”
“She has that,” I said. “She has us.”
He didn’t argue. Just gave a small nod and stepped away, leaving me staring out at the churning sea.
The truth was—it wasn’t the kingdom I didn’t trust.
It was the world.
And what it always tried to take from girls like her.
So no, I wouldn’t hoard her.
But I’d walk beside her through the fire.
And gods help anyone who tried to pull her back into the dark.